Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 360

SF Giants’ Tyler Fitzgerald pulled from game vs. Brewers in third inning

SAN FRANCISCO — When the Giants took the field to start the top of the third inning Thursday night against the Brewers, it was Brett Wisely and Marco Luciano who assumed the two middle infield positions.

Tyler Fitzgerald, who started the game at shortstop, had been removed after his lower back tightened up, the club later announced, and will undergo an MRI Friday morning. Although it was severe enough to force him from the game, Fitzgerald said he wasn’t overly concerned about the longterm prognosis.

“It’s nothing I’m super concerned about; it just locked up pretty good,” Fitzgerald said after the Giants’ 3-0 loss. “I felt it in pregame warm ups and tried to play through it.”

Running to first base on his lineout to right field in the first inning, Fitzgerald said, “I just knew something was off.” He took the field for the top of the second and turned two to end the inning, fielding a sharp ground ball from Sal Frelick, stepping on second and firing to first. At that point, he said, “I just figured it’s not worth it.

“Right now, it’s completely locked up, so probably a smart decision.”

Interestingly, Luciano took over at second base while Wisely slid over to Fitzgerald’s spot at shortstop.

Fitzgerald, 26, has already made a strong enough impression to enter next spring central in the Giants’ plans. Seizing the starting shortstop job at midseason, Fitzgerald is batting .296 with 14 home runs and a team-high 17 stolen bases in his first full-time opportunity in the majors.

It has been tougher sledding for Luciano, who seemed earmarked for the job at the end of last season but was beaten out by Nick Ahmed in the spring and has spent the season splitting time between San Francisco and Triple-A Sacramento, spending less and less time at shortstop.

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“We’re trying to get him consistent reps at one position,” Melvin said. “Right now, it’s second base.”

Neither player has provided exemplary defense, with 19 errors between them, leading some to speculate about pursuing external options such as San Diego’s Ha-Seong Kim, a pending free agent, who played for manager Bob Melvin with the Padres and is close friends with Jung Hoo Lee.

There’s also Willy Adames, arguably the highest-profile member of the upcoming class of free-agent shortstops and currently in town with the Brewers. Adames, 29, is earning $12.25 million in his final year of arbitration and should be due for a handsome raise with career-highs in RBIs (102), steals (18) and runs scored (84) to go with his 30 homers.

49ers’ Brock Purdy looks to see past Vikings’ “illusion fest” defense, avenge last year’s mistakes

SANTA CLARA – One former 49ers’ scout-team quarterback takes on another Sunday in Minnesota. Yes, it’s Brock Purdy facing off against last season’s backup, Sam Darnold.

While Darnold is now the Vikings’ heralded starter after Sunday’s opening rout of the New York Giants, Purdy is in actuality opposing one of the NFL’s most aggressive and beguiling defensive schemes. The Vikings, after all, defeated him last October with two interceptions late in the 49ers’ 22-17 loss.

“Minnesota, they’re sort of an illusion fest,” Purdy said Thursday. “They want to make it seem they’re doing this, then (bam), it’s post-snap and they’re dropping eight (defenders) in to every which way.

“They do a lot. It’s hard for us to just grasp exactly what they’re doing,” Purdy added. “A lot of it is dropping back post-snap, seeing the safeties, who’s coming, who’s not, and where I need to go with the ball from there.”

When Purdy drops back Sunday (12 p.m. CT kickoff), he will have Trent Williams protecting his blind side, unlike last October when Williams did not suit up because of an ankle injury. Deebo Samuel also missed that game due to his own injury (shoulder) from the previous week’s loss in Cleveland.

“Having Trent back in with just his dominance and force, you can feel it. To have him back is great, and Deebo, as well,” Purdy said.

Whether Christian McCaffrey makes his season debut Sunday or sits out a second straight game will dictate how the Vikings’ defense approaches the 49ers’ offense — an offense that still pinned 32 points on the New York Jets in an opening-night win as Jordan Mason racked up 147 yards in place of McCaffrey.

McCaffrey remained limited in practice Thursday, as was the case last week before he was listed as questionable and ultimately ruled out 90 minutes before Monday’s kickoff. “When he’s not out there, it doesn’t necessarily simplify things for the defense, but it’s a component they don’t have to handle, so they can focus on George, B.A. and Deebo,” Purdy said.

In Monday’s 32-19 win over the New York Jets, Purdy completed 19-of-29 passes for 231 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, plus an 11-yard scramble. After a three-and-out opening series, Purdy produced scoring drives on all eight of his remaining possessions, six of which ended with Jake Moody field goals.

The Vikings also opened with a lopsided win against a New York team, routing the host Giants 28-6 Sunday. Minnesota’s defense sacked quarterback Daniel Jones five times, forced two interceptions and limited him to 186 passing yards (22-of-44), all of which put Purdy on notice to expect a rude welcoming in Minneapolis, a place where the 49ers have lost seven straight games since a 1992 win.

“Trying to create momentum in a place like that, it’s not easy to win there,” Purdy said.

A year ago there, Purdy tried in vain to engineer a fourth-quarter comeback, only to lose 22-17 in a Week 7, Monday night affair. Purdy threw an interception in Minnesota territory by safety Cam Bynum, a Cal product, on the 49ers’ final two possessions. Purdy exhibited concussion symptoms on the flight home and cleared the NFL’s protocol to start the ensuing game, a home loss to Cincinnati.

Purdy does have some positive mojo with Minnesota. In 2022 training camp, he excelled in joint practices with the Vikings and fared well enough in the preseason game to lock down the No. 3 job, although he says he looks back at that preseason game now and says it’s “pretty funny” to watch him read the Vikings defense. Now he’ll try to have the last laugh Sunday.

LENOIR ON DARNOLD

Because Darnold’s duties last season involved scout-team work against the 49ers’ first-string defenders, he knows them — and vice versa. So who wins that game within the game?

“I win that for sure,” cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said. “Because me and Sam, we had this connection. He liked to throw the ball to me. This week, I’m coming, he knows it.”

Lenoir is in his fourth season, so he could also speak on facing Purdy’s scout-team work as a rookie in 2022 before his stunning ascension to franchise savior. Lenoir did not have that same “connection” in picking off Purdy.

“He was actually throwing dimes. I respected him because he was throwing dimes,” Lenoir recalled. “He was throwing the pill. I would get him sometimes, but he would throw the ball and it was like, ‘Wow.’ ”

Lenoir’s growth showed up Monday night when his pass breakup led to Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles’ intercepiton of Aaron Rodgers. Lenoir said he correctly interpreted Rodgers’ pre-snap signal (juggling) as an upcoming “circus” route.

“It felt great because I got him back. He sat me down my rookie year,” Lenoir recalled of Rodgers’ 2021 victory with Green Bay.

PRACTICE RETURNS

Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (right knee) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) practiced for the first time since injuries in the Aug. 23 preseason finale at Las Vegas. Also participating were left guard Aaron Banks (calf, pinky) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle).

Vikings safety Harrison Smith (hip) was added to the injury report and did not practice, nor did wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle). Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) returned to practice in limited work, which is also what the Vikings got from center Garrett Bradbury (knee) and right tackle Brian O’Neill (elbow).

WILLIAMS SHAPING UP

Left tackle Trent Williams is rapidly getting into shape after requiring two intravenous-fluid treatments Monday because he only practiced one week following an offseason-long contract dispute.

“He seems right back where he should be,” offensive line coach Chris Foerster said.

Williams didn’t go that far, saying: “I don’t feel great yet. I’m not going to cancel the idea of needing another IV but hopefully the one before the game will suffice.”

Williams missed only two snaps in the opener, to which Foerster said: “Trent’s smart and knows when to go hard. There was some rust that needed to be knocked off. He really only missed two plays, and I didn’ think he’d go back in, and then he was running back in like a kid.”

San Francisco 49ers pour nearly $1 million into PACs for Santa Clara City Council races

Just days after the San Francisco 49ers kicked off football season at Levi’s Stadium, the NFL team began gearing up for election season, infusing nearly $1 million into political action committees supporting and opposing candidates for Santa Clara City Council.

The 49ers have long been a major political player in the Silicon Valley enclave of roughly 126,000 residents. A recent Bay Area News Group analysis found that the team and its owners have spent $13.1 million in Santa Clara elections between 2009 and 2023, with more than half of that expended in 2020 and 2022.

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“Our organization is proud to continue to support a diverse slate of candidates running for City Council this year,” Ellie Caple, the 49ers’ vice president of corporate communications and public affairs, said in a statement. “We are glad to see that the current Council has effectively managed the City’s finances, reduced the City deficit and continue to serve our community.”

The 49ers are renewing their support of two candidates they have thrown their weight behind in the past: Councilmember Kevin Park in District 4 and Councilmember Suds Jain in District 5. The team is also opposing Park and Jain’s opponents — businessman David Kertes and former Councilmember Teresa O’Neill.

Kertes, who is a first-time candidate in Santa Clara, said he wasn’t surprised when he found out about it on Wednesday evening and that “it just comes with the territory” of running for office.

“I just look at that as an extra spark to me that I am visiting all 4,600 houses in my district,” he said of his campaign strategy.

In a statement, O’Neill called the 49ers’ PACs the “same old playbook” and said she wishes the team would “invest those millions directly to help the Santa Clara community rather than trying to control elections in their favor.”

“I ask my fellow Santa Clarans to pay close attention in our city election to who are the candidates that truly have their best interests at heart and want to serve them, versus candidates who may be serving special interest groups that aren’t focused on the needs of our community,” O’Neill said. “Please look at which groups are paying for the ads and mailers you will be seeing.”

In the District 1 race, which is an open seat currently held by soon-to-be-termed-out Councilmember Kathy Watanabe, the 49ers are supporting Santa Clara Unified School District Trustee Albert Gonzalez and opposing former Charter Review Committee member Satish Chandra. Four years ago, the 49ers backed District 1 candidate Harbir Bhatia, the CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce, who is running once again.

Chandra expressed concern about the PAC and said he was scared that the 49ers are going to intimidate him or even physically assault him or his family.

“I’m a person who loves and is passionate to serve the community and these people are trying to put me down, harass me and slander me,” Chandra said, referring to a survey that recently circulated in the community.

When asked about Chadra’s claims and worries, Capel said that they “don’t feel the need to comment on that absurd delusion.”

David Kertes, running for city council district 5, speaks to constituents at Santa Clara Central Park Pavilion in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

Satish Chandra, running for city council district 1, stands at Santa Clara Central Park Pavilion in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

Kelly Cox, running for city council district 6, speaks to constituents at Santa Clara Central Park Pavilion in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

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David Kertes, running for city council district 5, speaks to constituents at Santa Clara Central Park Pavilion in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

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Gonzalez could not be reached for comment.

In District 6, the 49ers are opposing Santa Clara University Assistant Dean Kelly Cox and have yet to say whether they will support a candidate in the race. Cox is running against Councilmember Anthony Becker, who was indicted last year for allegedly leaking a confidential civil grand jury report to the 49ers and lying about it, and former Parks and Recreation Commissioner George Guerra.

The 49ers supported Becker’s initial run for council in 2020 as well as his failed mayoral bid in 2022 against Mayor Lisa Gillmor. Becker’s trial is expected to start in the coming weeks and court documents show that his attorneys have been building a case that others leaked the report in question.

In an email, Cox called the PAC opposing her “textbook behavior” from the 49ers and expressed concern that they would “silence” her and “discredit” her campaign.

“I am not a person to the 49ers — just an obstacle in a machine built for the wealthy and powerful,” Cox said. “To them, I am someone to deface without concern. They don’t care about my kids, my professional reputation or my community. To them, I am simply a small problem that might cause them to make a few less dollars on the billions they are already guaranteed. “

So far, the only other PAC that is backing council candidates that has registered with the city of Santa Clara is sponsored by the developers of the Related Santa Clara project — a massive mixed-use development expected to sprout up next to Levi’s Stadium. The PAC says it will support Chandra, O’Neill, Kertes and Cox and currently has no contributions.

The Santa Clara Police Officers’ Association also has typically spent large sums of money in Santa Clara elections, but has yet to create a PAC, according to election filings.

Salinas man charged with fatal hit-in-run

SALINAS — A fatal hit-and-run in Salinas is being investigated by police with witnesses helping to identify the suspect.

Police say the victim was found unresponsive at the scene and first responders provided aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jorge Luis Lopez Saenz, 27, has been identified as the suspected driver and is being charged with vehicular manslaughter, unlicensed driving and a hit-and-run causing death or injury.

The Salinas Police Department received a call about a person being hit by a car on East Alisal Street at Eucalyptus Street in front of Foods Co. on Tuesday. The vehicle fled the scene. However, a witness followed the car onto Eucalyptus Street, and eventually lost sight of it on Quilla Street, but was able to get the license plate information.

Police found Saenz’s car on North Sanborn Road near Elkington Street. A traffic stop was conducted, where the officers identified him. He had damage to the right front end of the car. Police say he did not appear to be under the influence, but blood analysis is still pending.

The investigation remains ongoing.

City officials fill voters in on Monterey’s four ballot measures

Monterey city officials hosted an informational session Wednesday, detailing to the public what each of the four measures that are going to be on the ballot mean and how they would affect the charter moving forward. About a dozen people were at the Monterey Conference Center to get information packets and ask about the ballot.

Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathria and Assistant City Attorney Karin Salameh were there to lay out the ballot measures and answer any questions. The session was purely informational and Rojanasathria and Salameh both refrained from “picking sides” or advocating for any of the measures.

City voters will see four measures on their ballot this November, including Measure V city charter clerical corrections and clarifications, Measure W council member filing as candidate for mayor, Measure X mayor and city council member term limits, and Measure Y leases of real property.

Each measure includes multiple items that would change the city’s charter and the measure will be summarized on the ballot. All the information about the measure will be included in the county booklet given to voters with their ballot.

Measure V fixes some of the language in the city charter to reflect current practices. If approved, it will substitute gender-neutral terminology and make grammatical corrections; authorize ordinances to be adopted without reading the full ordinance in council or publishing it in the newspaper; and reflect that the Board of Library Trustees select the Library Director and the director selects the library employees.

Questions were raised about gender-neutral language and whether it was appropriate to remove the ordinances from the newspaper.

Rojanasathria explained the gender-neutral language will only affect the city charter, using words like “they” or “congressperson” rather than a generic “he/she” or “congressman.” He also pointed out that Monterey is currently the only city in the county still publishing their full ordinances in the newspaper beforehand and has cost the city about $35,000 to print sometimes eight-page long ordinances that can be found online.

Measure W will help fix unintentional vacancies in the council during the last couple of months of the year. Currently, when a council member runs for mayor, their term ends on the day of the election. In the past, this has created one to two vacancies, forcing the Monterey Council to run with a small quorum during the holiday season.

If the measure passes, the measure will specify that the term of office for a council member filing for mayor expires when their successor is appointed, or 40 days after the election. The proposal also makes other clerical, non-substantive changes to sections regarding the mayor and council members.

Measure X sets term limits for council members. Currently, there are no term limits and council members can serve as long as they are elected.

If approved, the measure will prohibit a person from serving more than 12 years total in any elective office in the city, whether that time is served as mayor, a council member, or a combination of the two. The proposed term limit would not apply to someone who is appointed by the city council to fill a vacancy, meaning if someone was appointed to serve the last two years of a retired council member’s term, that two years would not count toward their 12-year limit.

The term limits would apply to future terms starting with people who are elected in November.

There were some comments disagreeing with the measure, but Rojanasathria encouraged everyone to vote and make their voice heard. He also pointed out that Measure X did not pass unanimously in council and recommended watching the council’s February 2024 meeting, where all of the council members gave their opinion about each of the measures.

Measure Y would amend the city’s charter to allow the city to lease its real property to qualified nonprofit organizations, government entities, or educational institutions on terms and rates that serve the community benefit. The city’s charter currently requires all leases of city property to be at fair market rent.

This amendment still requires that all leases of city property be at fair market rate as established by sound appraisal practices, but would allow for exceptions for below market rate leases to qualified organizations where the city finds it benefits the community. City staff say this amendment might result in reduced rent revenue to the city.

Donald Trump says no to second debate with Kamala Harris

Former President Trump said Thursday that he won’t do a second debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

After his rocky performance in Tuesday’s debate, Trump posted on his social media site that he wouldn’t agree any further clashes.

“There will be no (additional) debate!” Trump wrote.

There was no immediate response from the Harris campaign, which challenged Trump to a second debate immediately after the first one on Tuesday night.

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The Democratic candidate said she wants to debate again during her rally in North Carolina Thursday afternoon.

“I believe we owe it to the voters to have another debate because this election and what is at stake could not be more important,” Harris told thousands of supporters at a rally in Charlotte.

Trump claimed that he won the first debate, a claim that is undercut by polls that said viewers considered Harris the winner by wide margins.

He compared Harris to a boxer who asks for a rematch after losing a bout.

“When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, ‘I want a rematch,’” Trump wrote.

Trump advisers and Republican leaders were split over whether Trump should accept another debate after what they acknowledged was a shaky showing in the first clash.

Reno travel: The Biggest Little City’s best restaurants, according to a Reno-based food writer

Reno’s reputation as a foodie destination is on the rise. Once known as a mini-Sin City escape, the neon-lit “Biggest Little City” has suddenly become a culinary player, racking up gastronomic awards and diner shout-outs. There’s certainly plenty to savor, whether you’re here for Reno’s classics — the lavish casino buffets and western-themed steakhouses — or all-you-can-eat sushi, riverfront dining or delicious food-centric events.

Casino appeal

Reno’s glitzy resorts offer more than slots. They’re home to some star-studded eateries, too. Over at The ROW, which includes hotels, casinos and restaurants, Gordon Ramsay has extended his Caesar’s Entertainment contract with two new eateries. Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips opened in May in a London pub-meets-fast-casual setting, while his fine-dining Ramsay Kitchen began welcoming guests in July.

Classic fish and chips are served at the Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips booth. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit)

Charlie Palmer has long been a staple at the Grand Sierra Resort, where his eponymous steakhouse offers a half-priced happy hour menu (4-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday) boasting prawn cocktails, wedge salads and lobster bisque. If you’re here for a steak or seafood dinner, don’t miss the Glazed Thick Slab Bacon appetizer ($24) with grilled peach and a pickled mustard seed gastrique.

Food and wine lovers will also want to check out the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, where the Atlantis Steakhouse and Bistro Napa have been on a Wine Enthusiast awards streak for the last two decades. Bistro Napa’s “social hour” — 4 to 6 p.m. daily — offers half-priced drinks and dishes, including $11 roasted bone marrow, $10 prime rib sliders and discounted oysters. And the more casual Asian-fusion Red Bloom, which opened in 2020 on the main casino floor, offers flavorful chow mein ($16), tender pork belly adobo ($22) and bao buns ($12).

Small surprises

Small business owners are at the heart of the Reno food scene, though, where newcomer Wings Korean Chicken arrived in neighboring Sparks in May. It’s a strip mall stop with a hip-hop attitude, and the second location for this casual Nevada-based spot that serves Korean chicken wings, Korean corn dogs and bibimbap. If you’ve never had a Korean corn dog ($4-$5) before, this is your chance to bite into a panko-crusted, cheese or sausage-filled “dog.”

If Asian fare is your fave, you should also check-out Ijji Noodle House, Ijji 4 Korean Bar-B-Que, Arario and Kwok’s Bistro, whose chef and owner, Kwok Chen, was a James Beard semi-finalist in 2022.

Lili’s Restaurant & Bar, which serves breakfast and lunch, offers a specialty island menu, as well as diner fare. Think chow fun noodles ($7.50) and deep-fried Crack Chicken ($15.75), Spam musubi ($4.25) and Maui-style hot dogs ($15.75).

Riverfront diningReno’s Riverwalk district runs along the Truckee River offers riverfront restaurants, museums and splashy adventures. (Getty Images)

The Truckee River runs through Reno’s downtown, creating a walkable hub dotted with riverfront restaurants and bars. Open since 2022, the upscale Smith and River offers a seasonal menu that showcases local ingredients and handcrafted cocktails, including a bourbon-centric Smoke on the River.

The modern American Wild River Grille is a longstanding favorite with outdoor seating, live music on select nights, and a Broadway-inspired menu that riffs off the lineup at the nearby Pioneer Center. Expect to dine on “Some Like It Hot” and “Book of Mormon” inspired prix fixe menus this season.

And The Shore, inside the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa, is a fine dining affair. Head for the terrace upstairs where you can enjoy the view as you dine on small plates — Spanish octopus ($18) with a lemon-garlic vinaigrette, perhaps — or Verlasso salmon ($34) served with squash, eggplant and a puttanesca sauce.

All-you-can-eat sushi

The all-you-can-eat buffet is a casino staple. But Reno is known for its extension of the AYCE concept to nearly every sushi restaurant in the city. The sushi bar ($30-$40) at Sky Terrace at the Atlantis is one option.

Other favorites — including Pisces Sushi, Hinoki Sushi and O’A Sushi — are tucked in local strip malls. Menus typically run about $25 to $30 per person and include not just rolls but appetizers, as well.

Italian inspiration

If grape stomping and ravioli consumption are more your taste, head for The ROW for The Great Italian Festival Oct. 12-13, when the 42nd annual celebration takes over several blocks. Taste through  the sauces — slathered over fresh pasta — competing for top prize. There’s even a grape stomping competition.

The festival is fun, but you can dine like a Roman, a Neapolitan or Florentine here year round. Everything at Pasta Fresca — my favorite — is made fresh by the Italian staff, with pasta, as you might imagine, taking the starring role. Whether you dine in or get the sauces and noodles to go, don’t miss the cannoli.

Now run by the fourth generation of the Casales family, Casale’s Halfway Club dates back to 1937. Dive into plates of saucy ravioli or try the beef or vegetarian lasagna. You’ll need reservations to score a table any night of the week, but the bar is first come first serve.

Drinks about town

Head for Calafuria, an Italian restaurant tucked inside a century-old house. But what’s really interesting is what’s behind it: a new speakeasy dubbed No. 731. Expect classic and Italian style cocktails  — the Rosemary Old Fashioned is hard to pass up, as is the refreshing Limoncello Spritz — plus Calafuria-prepped small bites including charcuterie and Roman supplì.

Midtown’s popular, speakeasy-style Death & Taxes specializes in rare whiskeys, as well as stylish craft cocktails, served amid moody decor. Think black-painted walls, candle-filled fireplaces, big leather couches — and vibrant sippers, made with egg whites for froth and dehydrated fruit garnishes. (Its sister bar, Amari, is right next door serving up spritzes and amaro flights.)

If you prefer your bubbles with a side of sweets, Champagne & Chocolate opened this summer with a confectionery pedigree — it’s owned by the folks behind Carson City’s Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. Selling their own branded chocolate goods and offering make-your-own chocolate bars, the brunch and bar concept flaunts more than drinks and dessert.

If You Go

The ROW: Restaurants at this trio of hotels include Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Ramsay Kitchen. Admission to the Great Italian Festival, Oct. 12-13, is free. 345 N. Virginia St. in Reno; www.caesars.com/the-row-reno.

Charlie Palmer Steak Reno: Open for dinner daily at 2500 E. Second St. in Reno; www.charliepalmersteak.com.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa: Find the Atlantis Steakhouse, Bistro Napa, Red Bloom and Sky Terrace at 3800 S. Virginia St. in Reno; www.atlantiscasino.com.

Wings Korean Chicken: Open for lunch and dinner daily, except Wednesdays, at 2134 Greenbrae Drive in Sparks.

Lili’s Restaurant & Bar: Open for breakfast and lunch daily at 2325 Kietzke Lane in Reno; www.lilisdining.com.

Smith and River: Open for brunch on weekends and dinner Wednesday-Sunday at 50 N. Sierra St. in Reno; www.smithandriver.com.

Wild River Grille: Open for lunch and dinner daily at 17 S. Virginia St. in Reno; www.wildrivergrille.com.

The Shore: Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 1 S. Lake St. in Reno; www.shoreroom.com.

Pasta Fresca: Open for lunch on weekdays and dinner Monday-Saturday at 6135 Lakeside Drive in Reno; www.pastafrescanv.com.

Casale’s Halfway Club: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday at 2501 E. Fourth St. in Reno; www.casaleshalfwayclub.com.

No. 731: Opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday at 725 S. Center St. in Reno; www.calafuriareno.com.

Death & Taxes: Opens at 2 p.m. daily at 26 Cheney St. in Reno; www.deathandtaxesreno.com.

Champagne & Chocolate: Opens at 10 a.m. daily offering bubbles, cocktails, sweets and weekend brunch at 550 W. Plumb Lane in Reno; www.champagnechocolate.shop.

49ers mailbag: Will McCaffrey boost first win in Minnesota since 1992?

SANTA CLARA — Opening the season with a double-digit rout didn’t ease the minds of 49ers’ fans, who’ve relayed their concerns via social media for this week’s mailbag:

How worried about CMC should we be? (@JM41484)

On a scale of 1 to 10, the first instinct is to rate it a TEN!!!! He is the reigning NFL rushing champion and AP Offensive Player of the Year. It sounded dire as he became a game-time scratch Monday, followed by coach Kyle Shanahan adding “Achilles tendinitis” to McCaffrey’s injury chart a month after a calf strain. Remember last season, linebacker Dre Greenlaw had Achilles tendinitis late in the season before he ruptured his other Achilles in the Super Bowl.

All that said, let’s dial the concern level to an “8.” He has not vanished from practice. NFC games are more important than an opener against a historically woeful AFC team. A Week 3 divisional matchup against the Rams is even bigger than Sunday’s trip to Minnesota. The playoffs and Super Bowl are the biggest of all.

If/when CMC is back to 100% will Kyle finally split carries with Mason based on his performance Week 1. (@JoshySpeez)

Two measuring sticks exist in terms of McCaffrey’s calf issues. After an initial injury in the January 2023 playoff win over Dallas, McCaffrey responded with 15 carries in the contorted NFC Championship loss at Philadelphia. After leaving last season’s Dec. 31 win at Washington, McCaffrey had 17 carries in the playoff-opening win over Green Bay while no other running backs got a carry.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with last season. It’s just something I’m dealing with that I’ll get right,” McCaffrey said Wednesday. His mentality may be that he’s playing; the reality is it will be a group decision like last Monday’s.

McCaffrey was a ball hog last season en route to his first NFL rushing title, totaling 331 carries through the playoffs; the second-most used rusher in each game totaled 106 carries. McCaffrey shared the load more in 2022 upon his midseason arrival, racking up 189 carries while each game’s next-most used rusher totaled 117 carries.

Does the success of Jordan Mason show that Christian McCaffrey is just a system running back? (@DamionTachikoma)

This is either dark humor toward those in the Brock-Purdy-Is-A-System-Quarterback Fan Club, or it’s a legitimate question.

Steve Young answered it on KNBR 680-AM: “To have an offense where you can plug and play like that … What is the value of being here and being able to have a system that gets the most out of you, the full measure of you as a player? You can find it out here. That’s what I loved about Monday. Christian can’t play and now we see the full measure of Mason. He jumps in and just dominates. He can go score 14, 15 touchdowns this season if he gets a shot.”

That said, McCaffrey’s multi-dimensional skills are unmatched in the NFL and a perfect fit for Shanahan’s offense. Mason had 83 carries and just three receptions through two seasons, but he showed improved vision and burst with familiar power Monday night.

Might Sunday’s game against the Vikings be a trap game? (@MrEd315)

It has all the key ingredients: 1.) Short week, after a Monday night opener; 2.) 10 a.m. PT kickoff; 3.) Preceds first division game the following Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams; 4.) The potential letdown after a high-emotion Week 1 and hectic offseason.

Can we beat Minnesota? We lost the last time we played there. (@zorochardson)

The 49ers actually have lost their last seven visits and have not win there since 1992. That includes losses in 2018 (20-14) and last season (22-17) since U.S. Bank Stadium replaced the Metrodome. That does not include a 2022 preseason win in which Mexican offensive tackle Alfredo Gutierrez received the game ball amid a locker room celebration. Prediction: Charvarius Ward receives a game ball after Sunday’s 23-17 win.

Do you think Purdy or CMC would win in a debate? (@bradleyjbayer)

A lot of politically correct language and respect would make for a snoozer. Trent Williams, George Kittle and Charvarius Ward might be the 49ers’ greatest orators. Nick Bosa, last season’s Garry Niver Award winner for his media dealings, would simplify any debate with his crisp explanations and cunning ability to shrug off criticism. Fred Warner’s passionate words and Kyle Juszczyk’s Harvard degree make them top picks, too.

Why hasn’t Kyle gotten with the league over Bosa being held more than anyone? (@waynekimble21)

Each week since Bosa’s 2019 arrival, the 49ers have forwarded clips of opponents holding Bosa. The NFL is not going to correct calls after the effect. Bosa understands this and does not openly whine about the no-calls. He lets the 49ers Faithful do it for him, weekly.

When will Talanoa Hufanga play? (@theresabaylee)

He has “a chance” this Sunday, but considering he remains limited and was still on scout team last week, the guess here is that the 49ers keep ramping up his activity until the big reveal, either Sept. 22 at the Rams or Sept. 29 against the Patriots. He could have started the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list and thus get ruled out the first four games, but by making the initial 53-man, that signaled he will play sometime in September.

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How many turnovers will SF force against (Sam) Darnold? (@MarvinG06038738)

The 49ers aim for three takeaways per game. In 68 career games, Darnold has 71 turnovers (57 interceptions, 14 fumbles lost). He completed his first 12 passes in the Vikings’ opening win Sunday at the New York Giants, with two touchdowns and an interception that matched his 2023 total as the 49ers’ backup to Brock Purdy.

It’s worth me getting up for a 7 a.m. start next Sunday morning since I’ll be on my lanai in Maui? (@michael_budd)

Nothing finer than Hawaiian sunrise with some pigskin. Hang loose, but carry the ball tight.

There is a grim determination to this team. They can and will be joyful in victory, but they have focus. The kind of focus you only get after severe disappointment. (@ChefPaulPresent)

Grim isn’t the right word. It’s grit and determination. The 49ers have shown that, so far. Long way to go.

 

Horoscopes Sept. 12, 2024: Emmy Rossum, use your imagination

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ryan Potter, 29; Emmy Rossum, 38; Jennifer Hudson, 43; Benjamin McKenzie, 46.

Happy Birthday: Share your thoughts and intentions with those you trust, and make plans to elevate your lifestyle and meaningful relationships. Pay attention to what others like and share what brings you joy. A united front will make dealing with others more accessible and less stressful. Use your imagination and adjust what isn’t working for you, and you’ll be happy and content. Your numbers are 7, 15, 27, 30, 39, 42, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): An emotional confrontation won’t help you get what you want. Rethink your actions and put your energy into something constructive, like overtime at work or making physical changes at home to make life easier. Apply damage control when dealing with relationships; avoid being critical or unwilling to compromise. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Change begins with you. Stop dreaming and start doing what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. Reach out to like-minded people and generate a buzz, encouraging others to join your bandwagon. Be a teacher, a guide and a motivator, and make a difference. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s up to you to make things happen. Target what’s required and use your skills, experience and connections to reach your target. Express yourself by acting. What you do will speak volumes about who you are and your capabilities. Don’t allow anyone to lead you astray. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take the initiative and use your energy wisely. Refuse to get involved in emotional nonsense that leaves everyone upset and nothing resolved. Use your insight and skills to recognize what’s available and how to make the most of what you’ve got. Be proactive, positive and patient. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Make things cozy, entertaining and welcoming at home for the ones you love. Pay attention to your needs and invest time in looking and feeling your best. Reach out to people and organizations that offer insight into healthy living. Make romance a priority. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take a good look around you, assess your surroundings and situation, and address issues that need adjusting. Don’t wait for someone to outmaneuver you. It’s up to you to set a path that encourages your success. Simplicity and a minimalist attitude will result in options and opportunities. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Abide by the rules, but refrain from scrimping when obtaining the knowledge and experience you require to reach your goal. A physical change that helps you stand out is favored and will encourage positive responses and opportunities that can help you promote your agenda. Live, learn and love. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A passionate show of skill and experience will help you rise to the top. Network, participate and become a leader. Differentiate yourself from the crowd by exerting confidence and wisdom along with innovative solutions and suggestions, and something good will transpire. Don’t give up; take charge. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention to detail; don’t skip a beat or give anyone a chance to push you aside. Distance yourself from scammers and those offering hype at an outrageous price. Focus on building opportunities, using your skills and acquiring experience. Start small, and growth will follow. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You can show passion, but don’t promise anything you cannot deliver. Communication, research and budgeting will help you make better choices. Connect with people who share your beliefs and are trying to reach similar life goals. Make friendships and expanding your mind and interests a priority. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Spend more time at home or nurturing what’s important to you. Invest in yourself and your future, and maintain a lifestyle that makes you feel comfortable. A healthy routine will also lead to compliments and opportunities to expand your interests and circle of friends. Romance is favored. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stay on top of facts and figures to ensure no one takes advantage of you. Put your energy into home improvements and make sure you are on the same page as partners or those affected by the choices you create. Honesty and integrity will make your life easier. 4 stars

Birthday Baby: You are thoughtful, insightful and dedicated. You are patient and detailed.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Ramos, SF Giants go outside-the-box in romp over Brewers

SAN FRANCISCO — On their way to a 13-2 romp Wednesday over the Milwaukee Brewers, the Giants ventured outside their comfort zone a couple times.

Not only did they jump out to an early lead against Brewers starter Colin Rea, they did so with the help of some aggressive baserunning.

The home runs that followed may get the headlines, but it was Heliot Ramos’ steal of second base that started it all.

After the 25-year-old outfielder drew a walk to give the Giants runners at the corners with one out in the first, they sent him in motion — which set in motion their first two runs. When Ramos bolted from first, Brewers catcher William Contreras tried to get a head start and instead let a low pitch from Rea sneak to the backstop, allowing Fitzgerald to scoot home from third and open a 1-0 lead.

With Ramos safely on second, he was in position to score when the next batter, LaMonte Wade Jr. dropped a single into center field, making it 2-0.

The Giants piled on with home runs from Jerar Encarnacion, Mike Yastrzemski and Matt Chapman. San Francisco would charge 10 runs to Rea’s line, one of three opposing starters to surrender that many in the history of San Francisco’s waterfront ballpark, but their opening salvo was arguably more notable given their difficulty manufacturing runs and their stated goals for next season.

“I was just trying to go all out,” Ramos said, describing his effort on three highlight-reel catches in left field that was equally apt to his aggression on the base paths. ” … I’m all about the guys. If they get the RBIs, that’s all I care about.”

Ramos is one of a handful of young players that has given the Giants an infusion of athleticism. It’s a trait that manager Bob Melvin said he hopes to see deployed at an even greater level next season when Ramos and Fitzgerald and Grant McCray have an extra year of experience and Jung Hoo Lee is back atop the lineup.

“We’re starting to get some personnel that can do that,” Melvin said afterward.

If that sounds familiar, well, Farhan Zaidi echoed a similar talking point last winter.

After the Giants finished last in the league with 57 stolen bases in 2023, Zaidi said, “That just can’t happen.”

While their $113 million investment in Lee signaled some shift in roster-building strategy, it hasn’t resulted in any real progress. Lee’s early season-ending shoulder injury didn’t help. Ramos’ stolen base was the Giants’ 62nd of the season, tied with the Atlanta Braves for the fewest in the majors — again.

Perhaps a preview of next season, the Giants have gotten more aggressive on the bases in the second half as they’ve opened more opportunities for players such as Ramos, Fitzgerald and McCray. Their 31 steals since the All-Star break rank 20th in all of baseball, at least getting them out of the bottom third.

Not to be overlooked: a career-best 15 thefts from third baseman Matt Chapman to go with a team-high 17 from Fitzgerald, the first pair of Giants’ infielders to each steal at least 15 bases since Tito Fuentes and Dave Kingman in 1972. Ramos’ was his sixth in seven attempts, which ranks third on the team.

Combined with the league-high 139 steals allowed to their opponents, though, the running game has been a real deficiency for these Giants.

So, too, for that matter, has been scoring in the early innings. While the Giants have been one of the best late-game offenses in the majors — scoring the seventh-most runs from the seventh inning onward — only the Angels, Pirates and White Sox have had less success scoring in the first three frames.

So, the Giants’ eight runs in the first two innings amounted to as much of an anomaly as the method that got them on the board.

It proved to be more than enough for Blake Snell, who rebounded from his one-inning outing in his last start to complete five.

“They were swinging it,” Snell said. “It was fun to watch. They got hot, got eight runs quick and just kept at it. It’s always fun to watch the offense go double-digits.”

Pulled after a 42-pitch first inning against the Diamondbacks, Snell was threatened with another early exit but instead authored the alternate reality had a few other pitches gone his way his last time out. After issuing a 10-pitch walk to Joey Ortiz, the Brewers had the bases loaded and Snell’s second-inning pitch count had climbed north of 30. But he fired three straight fastballs past Brice Turang to end the frame with no runs on the board, exhausting 34 pitches.

Snell went on to strike out eight batters while limiting the Brewers to one run over five innings, walking two and surrendering four hits.

“I want to be in the zone, I want to attack the zone,” Snell said. “The lack of doing it has been pretty frustrating, but to go five today with what I had to battle, it’s good. But the offense carried us. It helped me a lot to where I could make more mistakes knowing that I had a big lead.”

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Encarnacion‘s two-run homer in the first inning rode the jetstream out to right field and just cleared the arcade. It was only the 75th time in the history of Oracle Park that a right-handed hitter went the opposite way for a home run and the first since J.D. Davis last May.

Chapman‘s solo shot in the fourth was his team-leading 24th of the season and also his 60th extra-base hit, the first time a Giant has reached that figure since Kevin Pillar in 2019. Yastrzemski cleared the bases with a three-run blast in the second, homering in back-to-back games for the second time this month.

Up next

After being pushed back by two days, RHP Hayden Birdsong (3-5, 5.19) starts the series finale Thursday against RHP Frankie Montas (6-10, 4.69). First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.